Lakewood Dog Bite Lawyers

Colorado law holds a dog owner strictly liable for injuries caused by the dog, even if the owner was not negligent and the dog had no prior history of aggression. This means you do not have to prove the owner knew the dog was dangerous. However, the attack must occur in a public place or while you were lawfully in a private place, including your own property. We examine the specific circumstances—such as whether you were on the correct side of a fence, or how the dog accessed Wadsworth Boulevard or another Lakewood street. A separate negligence claim may also apply if the owner failed to control the dog or violated local ordinances.

You may recover damages for medical treatment and hospitalization at CommonSpirit St. Anthony Hospital or other providers, permanent scarring and disfigurement, lost wages during recovery, ongoing therapy for emotional trauma and fear, pain and suffering, and costs related to future medical care or reconstructive surgery. The specific amount depends on the severity of your injuries, the permanence of scars, your lost income, and whether you required mental health treatment. We work with medical records and expert opinions to document all damages.

The deadline varies depending on whether you are suing the dog owner directly, whether the owner is a government agency, or whether you are seeking recovery through an insurance claim. Colorado's statute of limitations for injury claims is typically two years, but claims involving a public entity—such as an attack that occurred on a street maintained by a government agency—may require written notice within a much shorter timeframe. Because deadlines differ by claim type and location, contact us promptly for a case-specific review.

You need to establish ownership or control of the dog, the location and circumstances of the attack (whether on a public street like U.S. Highway 6, West Colfax Avenue, or Kipling Street, or on private property), and that the dog caused your injury. Animal-control reports from Lakewood Police Department, veterinary records, witness statements, and photographs of wounds are essential. We also gather vaccination and registration documents, prior incident reports, and any available security footage. If negligence is part of your claim, we examine whether the owner violated local ordinances, failed to restrain or fence the dog, or ignored known dangerous behavior.

We handle dog bite injury claims on a contingency fee basis. That means McCormick & Murphy earns an attorney fee only if your case is settled or you win in court. You do not pay an hourly rate. Advanced case costs—such as medical records, expert reports, and court filings—are separate from the attorney fee and may be discussed with you as the case develops. This structure allows you to pursue your claim without upfront legal costs.